Mountain resident and Hoodland Fire District Firefighter Melinda Revere has a lot to keep track of every day. Besides her duties with the district (including training and responding to calls), she’s a mother of four and works in Portland.

On Saturday, Jan. 28, the HFD honored Revere for her dedication as the
Firefighter of the Year at the district’s 2016 awards banquet.

“It feels really good, I wasn’t expecting it though,” Revere said. “(There are) a
lot of great people and I’ve learned a ton. I just try and go to as much as I
can.”

Fire Chief John Ingrao noted that Revere “exemplifies what we do and what
we are,” adding that the number of responses she participated in was one of
the top number in the district, while also ranking near the top in participating
in training. Ingrao said that she “stood out to everybody” who voted for the
award, scoring almost a unanimous decision by the voters, who included the
career paid staff, volunteer officers and volunteer senior firefighters.

“At night she’s coming in, and sometimes staying up all night on calls and
then going to work,” said Ingrao, who noted she’s also attending school to
become an Emergency Medical Technician. “(She’s) very dedicated.”

Revere, who has been with the district for three years, added she enjoys
serving the community.

“It feels good, it’s good to know that you’re able to be there for somebody
when they’re having a bad time,” she said.

Dana Waldron took home the Rookie of the Year award and Susan Mikolasy,
who often is the sole responder covering Government Camp, received the EMS
of the Year.

The district also honored two retirees, former Fire Chief Mic Eby, who served
the district for a total of 38 years, and Shirley Dueber, who was on the board
of directors for 28 years between 1983 and 2015. Current board member Cliff
Fortune, who served with Dueber for 20 years, noted that she was a big part
of what the district has accomplished over that time, including the financial
reserves it enjoys today.

Eby and his wife, Linda, who helped start the district’s support group, received
a quilt from the support group and a custom made sign from the district.

“We all are so grateful for everything you have done,” Amanda Schmitt said
before presenting them with the sign.

Years of Service award winners were: Kevin Frank, Taylor Kopecky, Tom
Nelson, Pat Tritico and Brandon Guerrero for three years; Kaarin Powell and
Tony Hadeed for five years; Richard Powell for 10 years; Nick Miller for 15
years; James Lucas for 20 years; and Jim Jarvis for 30 years.